Mike Tomlin has revealed that Isaac Redman will be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting running back for the first game of the 2013 NFL season.

Redman had been named as joint starter alongside rookie Le'Veon Bell on the team's depth chart, but the second-round draft pick will miss the start of the season with a foot sprain.

The head coach told reporters: "We know what Isaac is capable of. He's answered the bell for us in the past. We expect him to do it in a big way moving forward.

"We're continuing to get to know [recent signing] Felix [Jones]. We like his natural run instincts. He quickly proved that he can do some positive things in terms of running the football."

Redman added: "If everything holds up and I stay healthy, I'm planning on going out there and performing and [keeping the coaches from] wanting to put anyone else in."

The Steelers play the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.